San Francisco's Stonestown Galleria has taken a retro leap into arcade entertainment, and it seems to be hitting high scores with locals. In the space that once housed a Nordstrom department store, the Japanese-owned entertainment arcade Round 1 offers an array of games alongside bowling and a full bar. Since its opening in November, it has seen an influx of gamers, families, and the curious, all drawn by the bright lights and vibrant atmosphere of competition. "I really like arcade games," 20-year-old Sanna Su told CBS News San Francisco, adding, "My cousin introduced me to Round 1 and I couldn't really stop, ever since."
Round 1 capitalizes on the blend of nostalgia and the modern craze for gaming, featuring claw machines that mimic the Las Vegas experience if not quite the odds. "The strength of the claw, it's kind of random," Ethan Wei explained to CBS News San Francisco. Sometimes, however, the thrill of winning seems to justify the expenditure, with patrons forking over considerable sums for plush prizes. This includes the likes of Austin Huynh, a San Francisco State student, who has made the arcade part of his routine.
The popularity of Round 1 isn't just about individual games. It's acting as a social magnet in a post-pandemic period where people are eager to reconnect. Neil Dulce, a San Francisco State graduate, was so eager for such a venue that he petitioned Stonestown to bring Round 1 to the mall years ago, according to The San Francisco Standard interview. Its success suggests that while online shopping may have become ubiquitous, the collective experience of in-person gaming still has the power to draw crowds.
